Work experience / Cell Biology - Proteins
Work experience project
Part of the Crick's work experience programme. Learn more about work experience.
A science-based work experience placement which runs from 13 February to 17 February 2023.
Key information
The lab is focused on using biochemical and structural biology techniques to investigate the ways cell signal each other. Specifically involving kinases, which are enzymes that add phosphate groups to their substrates in order to cause a change in the cell pathway e.g., to activate or deactivate another protein. Solving the structure of a protein is often a good way to get an idea of how a protein functions. On this placement, the student will gain hands on experience expressing and purifying small proteins from bacterial cells using chromatography and then use these proteins in other biochemical experiments. These small proteins can be used as a tool to find the structure of kinases. Depending on the student’s interests, there will also be the opportunity to use fluorescent microscopy to look at live cells.
The successful student would ideally be interested biology, chemistry, general science and lab working.
It is expected that all students accepted for a placement at the Crick are punctual, responsible, show a willingness to learn, listen to advice and act on feedback. For this placement in particular, the student should also:
- Have a good attention to detail
- Be proactive
- Be inquisitive
- Be a problem solver
